Games of the Year

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Games of the Year

Gamblers already knew Florida was the favorite to win its third national title in four seasons since Las Vegas Sports Consultants tabbed the Gators as the 2/1 ?chalk? when releasing future numbers a few weeks ago. When the Golden Nugget came out with its Games of the Year earlier this week, we saw further evidence of how much respect the oddsmakers have for Urban Meyer?s team.

UF is listed as a double-digit favorite for all 12 of its regular-season games in 2009. I had raised that possibility a number of times during the spring and summer, but felt like the Gators? trip to Baton Rouge could be the lone exception.

However, the Golden Nugget has installed UF as an 11-point favorite at LSU. Now certainly, this number could fall into single digits between now and the time the Gators arrive on the Bayou, but for now it?s clear that Florida?s schedule is extremely manageable, particularly for SEC standards.

We?ve touched on this a few times already this summer. UF, through no fault of its own due to the rotation of non-divisional SEC foes, will not play Alabama, Auburn or Ole Miss during the regular season. Instead, the Gators face Arkansas, Mississippi St. and its annual opponent from the SEC West, LSU.



Other UF games in the Golden Nugget?s Games of the Year include the conference opener against Tennessee. The build-up for this SEC East showdown has been simmering for months since UT head coach inaccurately called Meyer a ?cheater? back on national signing day. The sports book has the Gators as huge 27-point favorites.

In the last 10 head-to-head meetings between UF and UT, the number has only been double digits once. Of course, that was the Vols? epic 34-32 win at Florida (UT?s first win at Swamp since 1971) as 17 ?-point underdogs in 2001. That was Steve Spurrier?s last home game as head coach at Florida and sent UT to the SEC Championship Game because the game was pushed back to December due to the 9/11 tragedy.

(Quick side notes pertaining to UF-UT 2001 matchup: For starters, it is the most painful defeat in UF?s glorious football history. After the thrilling win in Gainesville, the Vols were destined to face Miami at the Rose Bowl if they could beat LSU at the Georgia Dome. However, the Tigers captured a 31-20 win as 6 ?-point underdogs. If UF and UT had played in September as originally scheduled, Florida most certainly would?ve prevailed because John Henderson and Donte Stallworth wouldn?t have been in uniform due to early-season injuries. Henderson dominated the game, delivering a number of crushing blows to Rex Grossman that completely disrupted the rhythm of UF?s vaunted aerial attack.)

Dating back to 1999, Tennessee has only been a double-digit underdog five times. The Vols took the cash in all five of those spots, winning outright three times (at UF in ?01, at Miami in ?03 and at UGA in ?04).

The Golden Nugget also has Florida favored by 16 over Georgia, by 17 at South Carolina and by 20 for a home game against FSU. During Mark Richt?s eight seasons at UGA, the Dawgs have only been double-digit puppies to the Gators twice. Georgia lost both games outright, but hooked up its backers with spread covers.

There are a bunch of intriguing Week 1 games with numbers, including Boise St. as a four-point home ?chalk? vs. Oregon. Remember, the Ducks will be looking to avenge a defeat to the Broncos from last year in Eugene.

Alabama has been marked as a four-point favorite for its lid-lifter against Virginia Tech in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome. The Crimson Tide destroyed Clemson 34-10 at the same venue to open the 2008 campaign.

Georgia will go to Stillwater for its opener, starting the season on the road for only the second time in a decade. The other? A 30-0 win at Clemson in 2003. The Golden Nugget has installed Oklahoma St. as a three-point ?chalk? versus the Dawgs.

I?ve been saying for weeks that Notre Dame better be on upset alert for its Week 1 contest against Nevada. Therefore, you can imagine how delighted I was to see the Irish inexplicably listed as a 17-point home favorite against the Wolf Pack.

Chris Ault?s team has one of the most underrated QBs in the country in Kolin Kaepernick, who combined for 3,979 yards both rushing and passing in 2008. Also, he gets sixth-year RB Luke Lippincott, who led the WAC in rushing in 2007, back in the mix after he went down with a season-ending injury early in ?08.

College?s version of Monday Night Football will go down in Tallahassee as the ?Noles are three-point favorites against Miami.

Looking to Week 2, we notice Ga. Tech as a 4 ?-point home favorite vs. Clemson in a crucial ACC game on a Thursday night. Also, USC is a 6 ?-point ?chalk? for its return trip to Ohio St., while Tennessee will be in revenge mode as a three-point home favorite vs. UCLA.

Glancing deeper into September, we see Va. Tech as a six-point home favorite against Nebraska. The Hokies won a 35-30 decision in Lincoln last year as seven-point underdogs. Like the Cornhuskers, Auburn will be seeking redemption when it hosts West Virginia as a four-point favorite. The Mountaineers thumped the Tigers 34-17 in Morgantown last season.

One game that caught ****.com handicapper Alexander?s eyes is Missouri?s trip out West to face Nevada on Sept. 25. The Tigers are five-point road favorites for this Friday night matchup.

Alexander said, ?I'm drooling over this one. I have LOVED Mizzou over the past few years but with QB Chase Daniel, the electric WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Chase Coffman all gone - along with many others - the cupboard in Columbia is pretty bare this fall and let's face it - this team has ALWAYS been light on "D". Venturing to a hornet's nest in Reno on a Friday is not going be pretty. Nevada is LOADED on offense with QB Colin Kaepernick poised to run up some big numbers this season. The Wolfpack will win this one outright and it might not even be that close."

Oklahoma hasn?t had much success in bowl games recently and perhaps that?s why it is taking on some heavy hitters in non-conference play this season. The Sooners are listed as 10-point favorites for an Oct. 3 trip to Miami to take on the Hurricanes. Two weeks later, OU will be a three-point ?dog against Texas in Dallas.

Speaking of the Longhorns, who I think will advance to the BCS Championship Game but lose to Florida, they are seven-point road favorites on Oct. 31 at Oklahoma St.

As usual, it would be ignorant to dismiss USC as a potential player in the BCS race. The Trojans are 8 ?-point favorites at California and 10-point ?chalk? at Notre Dame in a pair of road testers in October.



--The last time a college football team was favored by double digits in each of its regular-season games was USC in 2005. But the Trojans were single-digit ?chalk? in the BCS Championship Game in Pasadena that year, losing 41-38 to Texas as seven-point favorites in one of the greatest games in NCAAFB history.

--In a game that most believe will be for the Big Ten title, Penn St. is a three-point home favorite vs. Ohio St. Alexander is real bullish on the Nittany Lions in this spot. ?I think Penn State is the class of the Big Ten and this team has proven to be VERY tough at home over the past few years.?

--Notre Dame is 4-6 ATS as a double-digit favorite during Charlie Weis? tenure.

--A few other notable Week 1 numbers: Illinois -2 ? vs. Missouri (St. Louis), Oklahoma -21 vs. BYU (Arlington) and LSU -16 at Washington.

--November Notables: Alabama -6 vs. LSU, Georgia -10 ? vs. Auburn, Ole Miss -13 vs. Tennessee, FSU -6 ? at Wake Forest, Ole Miss -6 vs. LSU, Ohio St. -7 at Michigan, Ga. Tech -1 vs. UGA, Clemson pick ?em at South Carolina and USC -18 vs. UCLA.

--According to ****(and his always-ready database), Tennessee hasn?t been an underdog of more than 18 points (at USC in 1981) in school history. As previously mentioned, that?ll change for UT?s trip to The Swamp as a 27-point ?dog.

 

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Cross-Country Looks

Cross-Country Looks

Cross-Country Looks

You already know how important it is to schedule the right opponents and about a couple of non-conference plays to profit on. What is equally important in terms of the scheduling is trying to stay as close to home as possible.

Bettors and fans have no doubt noticed that the upper tier teams tend to play things close to the vest?or close to home rather. Rarely will you see a Florida, Penn State or Florida State venture outside of the cozy confines of their home stadium or home state for a game.

This year?s early slate of college football games has just 11 contests where teams will be making a good sized trip away from home?at least a two time-zone difference. Here are a pair of Week 2 matchups that could prove interesting for gamblers this September.

Colorado at Toledo ? Sept. 11, 9:00 p.m. EDT

A lot of people will look at the Rockets and see a team that has been mired in scandals and discipline problems for the past few season. Then you see that they?ll be facing a Big XII school like Colorado and think they?re done for in this contest.

What people aren?t thinking about is that Toledo is bringing in a solid head coaching prospect in Tim Beckman. For those of you that don?t know too much about him, Beckman has helped run the defenses at Bowling Green, Ohio State and Oklahoma State. His experience should no doubt improve a stop unit that gave up 31 points per game last season.




The Rockets will be running a high octane attack similar to what Oklahoma State runs. That should work extremely well with senior quarterback Aaron Opelt running an offense with eight returning starters.

Toledo?s new attack will also get the benefit of taking on a depleted Buffs? defense. Colorado led the Big XII on pass defense, allowing 215.3 yards per game through the air in 2008. The problem for the Buffaloes is that they?ll be starting a brand new secondary this season. In fact, the Buffs have just two returning starters on defense total (Defensive end Marquez Herrod, Linebacker Jeff Smart).

Things get a little bit better for Colorado on the attack with Cody Hawkins leading a unit that brings back six starters. Well?they get better except for the fact that the Buffs were 102nd in the nation in scoring offense with 20.2 points per game.

Bettors should also know that the Buffaloes have gone 1-4 straight up and 2-3 against the spread in their last five trips out east for non-conference games. The ?under? is just 3-2 in those contests. Still, it?s good info to have when hitting the betting shops.

Stanford at Wake Forest ? Sept. 12, 12:00 p.m. EDT

There haven?t been a lot of things to cheer for in Palo Alto for a while, but it looks like Jim Harbaugh is turning the tide for the Cardinal. Stanford went 4-8 in his 2007 inaugural season at the helm, two of those wins coming against California and a stunner over Southern California at the Coliseum. Last year didn?t have any of those statement victories, but the Cardinal did improve to 5-7.

Stanford looks to have some improvements on the offensive side of the ball with a young, but inexperienced side. It appears that Harbaugh will be starting redshirt freshman Andrew Luck under center instead of incumbent Travita Pritchard. And they?ll be implanting another pair of freshmen in the wide receiver corps with Jamel-Rashad Patterson and Jemari Roberts.

The Cardinal really has no choice but to start youngsters since they?ll be doing some ironman football on defense. Wideouts Richard Sherman and Michael Thomas will be pulling double duty in the secondary as cornerbacks to give the ?D? some depth. They need the help on that side of the ball since Stanford gave up 27.4 PPG and next to last in the Pac-10 on pass defense with 226.7 YPG.

That lack of depth against the pass will no doubt work to Wake Forest?s advantage. The Demon Deacons have one of the best QB?s in the ACC in Riley Skinner. Wake?s gunslinger completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 2,347 yards and 13 touchdowns. Skinner also has one of the most talented wide receiving corps in the league headlined by Marshall Williams and Devon Brown.

The Deacs should also be able to pound the ball down here with a veteran offensive line making room for a triple threat of Kevin Harris, Josh Adams and Brandon Pendergrass. That trio rushed for 1,106 yards, which isn?t a lot. But you must remember that Wake Forest tried to use a spread attack for the first part of the 2008 campaign.

Stanford hasn?t fared too well when heading over to the East Coast. You can tell that as the Cardinal are 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS in the last six trips. Wake Forest is 3-2 SU, but 1-4 ATS when at home against non-conference foes.

 

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schedule the right opponents

schedule the right opponents

Schedule Analysis

Without a playoff system in college football, there?s no sport in which scheduling is more important in terms of the national-championship race. Back in the 1990s, former Florida coach Steve Spurrier often bemoaned the fact that FSU and Miami had better chances to win it all compared to UF due to their cupcake conference slates in the ACC and Big East, respectively.

As usual, the Ball Coach had it right. Back then, the SEC teams beat up on each other all year and then had to win a league championship game. Even then, a one-loss team that won the SEC would usually be left out of the title mix.

Things have changed quite a bit since the ?90s, however. For starters, the ACC expanded with the additions of Va. Tech, Boston College and Miami. Obviously, this made the ACC a better league and allowed the conference to break into divisions and have a championship game.

These days it?s the Big Ten and Pac 10 that are seemingly behind the times. Without a conference championship game, schools with one loss from the Big Ten and Pac 10 don?t have that early-December opportunity to notch a huge victory to pad their resume and get into the BCS Championship Game.

Last season was a classic example. With one loss apiece, Oklahoma and Florida were sent to Miami ahead of USC and Ohio St. Once the Gators knocked off unbeaten and top-ranked Alabama and the Sooners put a 62-spot up on 19th-ranked Missouri, there wasn?t even much discussion of who deserved to be in South Florida.





In 2007, we had a twice-beaten LSU team come from out of the SEC to win it all. That was made possible by an SEC Championship Game win over Tennessee just a week after losing at home in triple overtime to Arkansas.

Scheduling is certainly not an exact science. On one hand, schools want to schedule opponents tough enough for victories to be considered quality. On the flip side, slates have to be manageable enough to weather with enough healthy bodies remaining.

Let?s take a look at some notable schedules that will impact the national-title race, while also examining specific spots that gamblers should be wary of. We?ll begin our discussion in the Big Ten.

With the exception of Wisconsin and Illinois, every team in the Big Ten plays its 12 games consecutively without an open date. The Badgers play seven straight weeks before their bye week is sandwiched between home games against Iowa and Purdue. They close the regular season at Hawaii in a late-night contest to follow a day of championship games.

As for Ron Zook?s team, it is the only Big Ten school with a ?normal? schedule. That?s to say the Illini have a pair of open dates to get fresh before key road tilts. After taking on Missouri and Illinois St. in Weeks 1 and 2, Illinois gets a breather on Sep. 19 to prep for the following week?s conference opener at Ohio St.

On Nov. 21, the Illini are off after hosting Northwestern. Then on Friday, Nov. 27, Illinois plays at Cincinnati before its regular-season finale vs. Fresno St. With games against the Bearcats and Bulldogs, in addition to a neutral-field season opener against Missouri, the Illini certainly have the toughest non-conference slate of all Big Ten schools.

I like Penn St. to win the Big Ten and its schedule is one of the main reasons why. The Nittany Lions? four non-conference games are at home against scrub squads like Akron, Syracuse, Temple and Eastern Illinois. Joe Paterno?s team gets its toughest game (vs. Ohio St.) in Happy Valley.

After going to Southern California to face USC last season, the Buckeyes will host the Trojans in Week 2 this year. They have only four true road games in 2009 and will probably be favored in three of those with the potential exception being the Nov. 7 trip to Penn St.

I feel like the third, fourth and fifth-best teams in the Big Ten will be Iowa, Illinois and Michigan St. If the Lions and/or Bucks falter, any of these three schools could capitalize like the Illini did in getting to the Rose Bowl in 2007.

With that said, the Hawkeyes don?t get any favors from how their schedule sets up. They have to go on the road to face Penn St., Wisconsin, Michigan St. and Ohio St. The Spartans get PSU and Iowa at home, but they go on the road to take on Notre Dame, Wisky, Illinois and Minnesota.

I touched on some SEC scheduling issues a few weeks back and will pile on some more here. By SEC standards, Florida?s schedule sets up beautifully. When the conference expanded the schedule to eight games earlier this decade, it gave each school one constant non-divisional foe while the other five non-division teams would rotate on and off schedules in two-year stretches.

Therefore, the Gators? 2009 slate has UF missing Alabama, Ole Miss and Auburn from the West division, instead playing Arkansas and Mississippi St. Florida plays LSU every year and will take on the Bayou Bengals in Baton Rouge on Oct. 10.

But even UF?s toughest game of the year sets up nicely. LSU plays at Georgia prior to taking on the Gators, while they get an open date before making the trek to Tiger Stadium. In non-conference play, UF hosts Charleston Southern, Troy, FIU and FSU.

Georgia opens up in Stillwater at Oklahoma St. The Dawgs also host Arizona St. and play at Ga. Tech in non-conference action. They host South Carolina in Week 2. The Gamecocks will be coming off a season-opening road trip to N.C. St. for a Thursday night showdown.





The Gene Chizik Era at Auburn begins with four straight home games, including a return visit from West Virginia in Week 3. The Tigers will be looking to avenge a 34-17 loss in Morgantown from 2008.

As I?ve said several times in recent weeks, the SEC West looks like a three-team race between Ole Miss, Alabama and LSU. The Rebels get the Tide and the Tigers in Oxford, but let?s not forget that Houston Nutt?s (new) team has never been to the Georgia Dome for the SEC Championship Game. Every other western-division school has, while Vandy, Kentucky and South Carolina have been shut out of Atlanta from the East.

Unlike last season when USC had its toughest games at home, the Trojans have to hit the road a bunch this year. They have to go to Ohio St., Cal, Notre Dame, Oregon and Arizona St. On the bright side, USC closes the regular season with three straight home games versus Stanford, UCLA and Arizona.

Jeff Tedford?s Bears play their lid-lifter at home vs. Maryland. Remember, Cal went into College Park for a noon Eastern game last year and got throttled by a 35-27 count in a game that wasn?t nearly as close as the final score indicated. In Week 3, Cal has to fly east to challenge Minnesota and also is on the road the following week at Oregon.

Is there a national-title contender in the ACC? Ask me after Va. Tech and ?Bama throw down in the ATL. Frank Beamer?s team has other challenging non-conference tilts, including a Sep. 19 game vs. Nebraska in Blacksburg. Also, the Hokies will be out for revenge in a Nov. 5 trip to East Carolina. They only have six games at Lane Stadium, however, and if V-Tech makes the ACC Championship Game, it will play eight total games outside of Blacksburg. That?s not a national-title recipe from a scheduling perspective.

Texas had a two-year series with Ohio St. in 2005 and ?06, but you?ll find no such non-conference heavyweights on its 2009 slate. The Longhorns host ULM, UTEP and UCF, while going on the road to take on Wyoming. Mack Brown?s team will have its season determined by a three-week stretch from Oct. 17-31. It begins in Dallas vs. OU before back-to-back road games against Missouri and Oklahoma St.

The Sooners open against Max Hall and the BYU Cougars in Arlington. They get a bye week before playing at Miami on Oct. 3. For those not familiar with South Florida weather in early October, I can assure you that it?s as intense as the heat in Norman in late August (if not worse).

Kansas could be a sleeper squad in the Big 12. The Jayhawks might be favored in each of their first six games, so it?s certainly conceivable that they could be unbeaten for a home game vs. Oklahoma on Oct. 24.

Finally, let?s mention a few non-BCS contenders that could make some noise. If BYU can find a way to shock Oklahoma in Week 1, the Cougars could be in business. That?s because they have several other opportunities to open eyes and each comes at home. FSU will come to Provo in Week 3, while BYU gets its two toughest Mountain West games (Utah and TCU) at home.

The Horned Frogs aren?t afraid to step out of conference, either. They go on the road to throw blows with a pair of ACC squads in Virginia and Clemson in Weeks 2 and 4, respectively. Gary Patterson?s team plays at BYU but gets to host the Utes.

Utah has won 14 straight games and will likely take a 16-game winning streak into Eugene to face the Ducks on Sep. 19. Give Oregon credit for giving the ?mid-majors? a chance to represent at its expense. The Ducks open the year at Boise St.

Speaking of the Broncos, they get to play 13 regular-season games. Chris Petersen?s squad has six ?non-Saturday? games, including a Wednesday trip to Tulsa.

East Carolina should be the class of Conference USA with 16 total starters returning from a nine-win team that upset both Va. Tech and WVU in 2008. However, the non-conference slate is plenty challenging with trips to Morgantown and Chapel Hill, in addition to a Thursday home game vs. the revenge-minded Hokies.

Last but not least, let?s talk about the Troy Trojans, who have been one of my favorite teams to wager on over the last half-decade. Since 2004, Troy is 11-5 against the spread in 16 double-digit underdog situations. It will definitely have that role in a Week 2 trip to The Swamp, a spot in which the Gators could be looking ahead to hosting Tennessee the following week. The Trojans also have non-conference road games at Bowling Green and Arkansas.



--Best non-conference games of 2009:
1-USC at Ohio St.
2-Alabama vs. Va. Tech (Ga. Dome in Atlanta)
3-Georgia at Oklahoma St.
4-Georgia at Ga. Tech
5-Oregon at Boise St.

--Like 10 of the 12 teams from the Big Ten, Vandy?s regular-season schedule is composed of games in 12 consecutive weeks sans an open date.

--Ga. Tech will face three SEC schools in non-conference play. The Yellow Jackets go to Starkville on Oct. 3, Music City on Oct. 31 and host UGA in their regular-season finale.

--Spurrier says he thinks has a team ?on the verge? in this Q+A with The State. The schedule won?t help Spurr Dog. According to Phil Steele?s magnificent magazine, the Gamecocks have the nation?s toughest schedule. FSU?s is ranked second, followed by Oklahoma, Mississippi St. and Minnesota.

--As usual, Paul Finebaum of the Mobile Press-Register nailed it in this column about Alabama AD Mal Moore, who was a regular punching bag in this space before landing Nick Saban.

--Just like UGA fifth-year senior QB Joe Cox won't get a warm-up game for his first season as a starter since the Dawgs open at Oklahoma St., Washington QB Jake Locker won't get a chance to shake off the rust in his return to the lineup after missing most of last year with a shoulder injury. The Huskies, who went winless in 2008 and saw head coach Ty Willingham take a pink slip, open at home against LSU.

 

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Non-conference plays

Non-conference plays

Non-conference plays

The out-of-conference games that we?re seeing early this year will go a long way towards gaining some brownie points with the pollsters. Ohio State is doing its due diligence by taking on the Midshipmen and Trojans to open its campaign. Georgia is another club that is going for broke right out of the gate by opening its season in Stillwater against the Cowboys.

For every team going out of its way to schedule tougher competition to curry favor with the voters and computers, you?ll have some fill up on cupcakes. The Nittany Lions are in that group with fixtures against doormats Akron (5-7), Syracuse (3-9) and Temple (5-7) at Beaver Stadium.

You?ll even see a couple of Football Championship Subdivision sides come up to face the upper division. But don?t expect to see another upset like we had with Appalachian State beating the Wolverines in Ann Arbor back in 2007.

The majority of programs go in knowing that they want to play a decent non-conference schedule, but nothing too strenuous. So they?ll go out and set a match up with cellar dwellers from the other BCS Conferences.

Les Miles has chosen that route to open up Louisiana State?s season when they head west to Seattle for a clash with the Huskies on Sept. 5. It?s not like we can argue with that move really. Sure you?re traveling well outside of your fan base, but it?s Washington.

The Huskies have been one of the worst programs in the nation, posting an abysmal 0-12 mark last year and has won nine games since 2006. They ranked near dead last in total offense (263.17 YPG), total defense (451.75 YPG), scoring (13.25 PPG) and scoring defense (38.58 PPG) in 2008.





You can?t help but think that Washington is overmatched in this game. LSU might be coming off of a disappointing 8-5, but they have a lot of talent coming back. Jordan Jefferson looked good in his two starts at the end of last season (36 of 73 on pass attempts, 419 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception) and is No. 1 on the depth chart in 2009. Jefferson will have Brandon LaFell (829 receiving yards, 8 TD) back as his No. 1 receiver.

The Bayou Bengals will no doubt get back to a strong defense this year with six starters coming back for new defensive coordinator John Chavis. This is a unit that allowed 25 points per game last season. Not a bad number, but a down effort when you realize that they gave up just 16 PPG in each of the previous three campaigns.

The Las Vegas Hilton?s Jay Kornegay has put LSU as a 14-point road ?chalk? for this season opener. Not a shock there really and bettors would certainly be just in back them in this spot. Yet there is a glimmer of hope for people wanting to play the underdog.

Washington is out from under the thumb of Ty Willingham and ushering in the Steve Sarkisian era. Sarkisian has been with Southern California for the last four years, running its offense in 2007 and 2008. Granted he had some of the best talent in the nation to run his pro-style attack, but ?Sark? certainly has the know how to make the most of Huskie gunslinger Jake Locker?s ability.

The Huskies also have former Trojan DC Nick Holt handling their defense. He?s been very happy with what he has seen in spring training from his crew, which returns nine starters. While this is a unit that allowed the most points in school history in ?08, there will be a marked improvement on defense.

What that coaching duo does bring is confidence in facing upper-tier clubs from other BCS conferences. Southern Cal was 10-0 straight up, 9-1 against the spread when the played against BCS conference clubs in the regular season since 2005. While it is a pipe dream to think that Washington will pull off a big upset, they do have a reasonable chance of losing by less than double-digits.

Another strategy you see is a pair of middle-of-the-pack clubs from BCS conferences square off. It?s a great way to put a quality win on your schedule and it isn?t too bad setback should you wind up losing. That?s what Minnesota and California will be doing in Minneapolis on Sept. 19.

The Golden Bears will have already played against Maryland (Sept. 5) and Eastern Washington (Sept. 12) before heading out to the Twin Cities for their road battle of the season.

Jeff Tedford?s crew will no doubt feel confident heading into this contest with an offense that showcases a top running back like Jahvid Best in its backfield. Best was third in the nation in rushing last year with 1,580 yards on the ground to go along with 15 touchdowns.

What could prove to be an issue for Best is that Cal will be replacing first round NFL draft pick Alex Mack at center. Mack is just one of the three departures from an offensive line that let running backs average 5.6 yards per carry. Look for a healthy dose of the ground game as there are a lot of questions surrounding the ability of Kevin Riley (1,360 yards, 14 TD, 6 INT), who had issues with consistency during his sophomore year.

Luckily for the Bears, they?ll have one of the best secondary units in the country. Syd-Quan Thompson, Brett Johnson and Darian Hagan come back after ranking third in the nation with 24 total interceptions.

Cal will need its secondary to come through against a spry Golden Gopher offense. Minnesota is welcoming back one of the more effective quarterback-wide receiver tandems in Adam Weber (2,761 passing yards, 15 TD) and Eric Decker (1,074 receiving yards, 7 TD). The Gophers will also be returning their entire offensive line, which averages just over 319 pounds per lineman.

Last year, Minnesota improved its scoring defense by allowing 23.3 PPG?a marked improvement from the 36.7 PPG they gave up in 2007. The problem this year for the Golden Gophers is replacing their third defensive coordinator in as many years after Ted Roof took the DC job in Auburn. Kevin Cosgrove and Ronnie Lee will share the duties this season with a unit that is returning seven starters.

Kornegay figures that Cal will be a seven-point road ?chalk? in the Gophers? new digs, TCF Bank Stadium.

This is a weird spot for us to back the Golden Bears given their recent history of traveling out east. The Bears traveled to Tennessee and Maryland over the last two seasons as favorites. And they walked away from both games a loser. In fact, California is 2-2 SU in its last four non-conference road contests in September, but is 0-4 ATS.

 

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Spurrier Q&A: 'I think we've got a team on the verge'

Spurrier Q&A: 'I think we've got a team on the verge'

Spurrier Q&A: 'I think we've got a team on the verge'
In an exclusive interview, coach Steve Spurrier talks about quarterback Stephen Garcia, his new staff, what happened last season and his future at USC.
By Joseph Person
jperson@thestate.com
USC coach Steve Spurrier, who turned 64 in April, still enjoys what he is doing. He likes his new staff and gets along with the current group of players ? including the quarterback he hopes will lead the Gamecocks to their first appearance in the SEC championship game. Spurrier spoke with The State?s Joseph Person at the recent SEC meetings in Destin, Fla.

QUESTION: Do you think you?re close to achieving what you came to South Carolina to do?

ANSWER: We?ve only got seven seniors. That?s something to remember. So we?ve got a lot of really good players, I think, for the next several years. Hopefully, Stephen Garcia ? he?s going to be a (redshirt) sophomore ? hopefully he can come around and learn how to play the game. That would really be crucial. We?ve not had really a quarterback we can hang our hat on for the whole year. So if he could do that, that would really be helpful.

Q: He?s the guy you brought in to do this, right?

A: He was the most highly recruited quarterback. But we like to give everyone a chance and feel like we did give all those other guys a chance. Now this is how it?s worked out. It?s down to Stephen and Reid McCollum right now.

Q: Do you feel like in some ways your success is hitched to Garcia?

A: Dependent on Stephen, and all the coaches? Yeah, it?s dependent on all these guys. But like I?ve said, we just haven?t quite put the total team together yet. We?ve been competitive, but we haven?t put the total team together. We still obviously think we can do it, and (it?s) very encouraging that we had such a good recruiting class. All those guys stuck with us. And like I said, we all like each other right now. Hopefully, it?ll stay that way.

Q: That hasn?t always been the case?

A: Not always the case.

Q: You?ve said several times you had some guys last year that had one eye on the door.

A: Well, we had some of those guys and had some guys we?d always take on the trips. We knew they weren?t going to play. I don?t know how much they wanted to play. You know, you want to take the whole team that wants to come and compete. And if they don?t play, they?re cheering for their teammates and things like that. We just haven?t quite had that, so hopefully we can get it going that way.

Q: When did you look at Garcia and say, ?You know what, I think he?s starting to take this more seriously??

A: Well, he hasn?t really proved a whole lot yet. Obviously, the spring game he was much better than our quarterbacks last year. If he does what we ask him to do this summer ? and he?s gotta do it on his own; we can?t make him ? then we?ll say, ?Hey, he has made a solid commitment to really be a top-notch quarterback.? And maybe make his way to being a leader on the team. It depends on what kind of summer he has.

Q: Were there any times last year when you woke up ? you hear coaches talk about this ? and going to the office wasn?t fun anymore?

A: Not too bad. Obviously, the fans know we had some guys that didn?t play with as much effort as they should. We had some players do a lot of stupid things out there. And that comes back to coaching, too. That?s my fault, and maybe the assistants. We didn?t have a great year, either. Anyway, we?re believing that we?ve got a much better attitude on the team, and we?re going to get better effort and hopefully better offensive line (and) quarterback play. And if we do those things, we?ll have a better chance than we used to have.

Q: You still like doing what you?re doing?

A: Oh, yeah. We?re looking forward to getting cranked up in about a month and a half.

Q: The four- to five-year plan, obviously that?s also the length of time recruits would be here. I think you told me last year, if you could get to Atlanta that might be a good way to go out?

A: Well, yeah, but I don?t need to talk about that right now. I talked to Shane Beamer about his dad. I said, ?How long?s he going to coach?? He said, ?He?s about like you ? four or five more. Three to five, four to five.? And really, three or four years goes by so fast, and if you?re in good health (and) you feel like you?ve got a team that?s on the verge. You know, I think we?ve got a team on the verge, I really do. And we?ve got excellent coaches with Ellis Johnson and Eric Wolford, Lorenzo Ward ? all those guys. Brad Lawing.

Q: Has that been energizing, having some new guys in the room?

A: Yeah. But again, talk to me at the end of the summer, and I hope I can say this was the best participation in summer workouts we?ve ever had.

 

[Lumi]

With a Saban feather, but NCAA blemishes, maybe 'Mal-function' should exit Alabama

With a Saban feather, but NCAA blemishes, maybe 'Mal-function' should exit Alabama

With a Saban feather, but NCAA blemishes, maybe 'Mal-function' should exit Alabama



Imagine for a moment you're Mal Moore. You have just stood in front of the bright lights and flashing cameras again -- posing in your best Mount Rushmore gape -- to discuss the University of Alabama's penalties from the NCAA.

As you walk back to your vast corner office, friends and co-workers pat you on the back, telling you to hang in there, to keep on keeping on.

You sit back in your easy chair, kick your feet up on the desk, and somewhere in the back of you mind, that mock-Latin aphorism must be resonating -- Illegitimi non carborundum. Don't let the b*st*rds grind you down.

But can you survive? Is it really worth fighting the good fight?

The answer to the first question is easy. Your best friend is Paul Bryant Jr. Until Nick Saban achieved celestial status, Bryant had the best name in town and was the Crown Prince of Alabama football. He still matters, and he has let it be known Mal Moore will not be pushed out.

University of Alabama Athletic Director Mal Moore was at the helm during Mike DuBose's tenure, the Albert Means NCAA scandal, the hiring and bizarre resignation of Dennis Franchione, the Mike Price/strip club escapades and the badly bungled hiring and mismanagement of Mike Shula. And those are just football issues.
The second question is not so simple. Is there really upside in continuing to do a job in which you have never really been comfortable?

Moore was never supposed to be the athletic director at Alabama. The former Tide quarterback turned top Bear Bryant offensive assistant was supposed to be the head football coach.

Moore thought he had the job, too, when Bryant stepped down in December of 1982. However, Ray Perkins was hired and the first person he fired was Moore.

Moore returned to Alabama seven years later after working at Notre Dame and in the NFL for a last hurrah under Gene Stallings. Eventually, he moved into administration and incredibly, was passed over for AD in favor of Bob Bockrath in 1996 (following another nasty brush with the NCAA).

Finally, after Bockrath crashed and burned in 1999, Moore was brought in and has overseen the fall of Mike DuBose, the Albert Means NCAA scandal, the hiring and bizarre resignation of Dennis Franchione, the Mike Price/strip club escapades and the badly bungled hiring and mismanagement of Mike Shula. And these are just football issues.

It appeared Moore was done on a cold December day in 2006 when Rich Rodriquez shocked Alabama officials by turning down an offer. However, Moore's standing among the faithful quickly rose like the Phoenix from the ashes three weeks later when he brought home Saban from South Florida.

It was the final cherry on Moore's career. The man often referred to as "Malfunction" could do no wrong. Three months later, Moore was honored when the school dedicated the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility.

Instead of being given a ceremonial role and quietly heading off to the wilderness, Moore remained as athletic director (with a new contract and raise to$425,000 annually), doing good work as a fund-raiser and being a beloved figure in Alabama folklore.

Until now.

With another blood red circle on his resume, even longtime Alabama fans are wondering if Moore's time is up. Certainly, Alabama can ill afford more problems with the NCAA. As cataclysmic as it would be, can you imagine how much worse it would be if Moore was still the athletic director?

This November, Moore will celebrate his 10th anniversary as Alabama's athletic director. His work in fund-raising and capital improvement to facilities, such as Bryant-Denny Stadium, is exemplary. On Dec. 19, Moore will celebrate his 70th birthday.

If you're Mal Moore, wouldn't that seem like the right time to exit with your back straight and your head held high?